Adjustable tuning device

ABSTRACT

An adjustable tuning device has a cup having a base defining an aperture configured to closely receive a limited rear portion of the muzzle portion such that a forward portion of the muzzle portion extends forward of the base, the cup having a rear surface configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder of a barrel, the cup being externally threaded, and a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup. The cup may have a skirt extending rearwardly of the base. The weight may taper to a reduced diameter at a rear end. The cup may have an external diameter at an externally threaded portion, and the weight may have a rear portion having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the cup.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/033,337 filed on Jun. 2, 2020, entitled “Adaptive Tuning System (ATS),” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to an adjustable tuning device that enables the use of a user-selected muzzle device in combination with the adjustable tuning device. It should be appreciated that the present invention can be used with air rifles and other “projectile launching devices,” and that “firearm” is used in the description and claims broadly to indicate any such devices, and is not limited to the narrow regulatory or technical definition of firearms. A “projectile launching device” can be any device utilizing a force to accelerate an object into the environment, which is subsequently allowed to move solely under the influence of gravity and air resistance.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Barrel tuners enable a user to improve the accuracy of a host firearm by adding an adjustable weight to the muzzle of the barrel to manage barrel vibration during firearm discharge. The barrel tuner can be adjusted to not only compensate for the unique characteristics of the host firearm, but also to compensate for variables associated with the ammunition, propellants, fire control, and barrels used to ensure consistent performance.

Although many prior art barrel tuners exist, they have several disadvantages. First, many require a gunsmith to modify the host firearm's barrel by adding contouring and/or additional threads behind the existing muzzle threads to accommodate the barrel tuner. Second, many combine a proprietary muzzle brake combined with the barrel tuner and do not allow the user to use a user-selected muzzle device such as a muzzle brake, suppressor, or thread protector with the barrel tuner. Third, even those prior art barrel tuners that use only the existing muzzle threads do not support the use of a user-selectable muzzle device that shares the existing muzzle threads.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved adjustable tuning device that enables the use of a user-selected muzzle device in combination with the adjustable tuning device. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some or all of these needs. In this respect, the adjustable tuning device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of enabling the use of a user-selected muzzle device in combination with the adjustable tuning device.

The present invention provides an improved adjustable tuning device, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved adjustable tuning device that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a cup having a base defining an aperture configured to closely receive a limited rear portion of the muzzle portion such that a forward portion of the muzzle portion extends forward of the base, the cup having a rear surface configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder of a barrel, the cup being externally threaded, and a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup. The cup may have a skirt extending rearwardly of the base. The weight may taper to a reduced diameter at a rear end. The cup may have an external diameter at an externally threaded portion, and the weight may have a rear portion having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the cup. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the current embodiment of an adjustable tuning device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use with a muzzle brake attached to a barrel in the forward condition.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable tuning device of FIG. 1 detached from the barrel.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the adjustable tuning device of FIG. 1 attached to a barrel in the forward condition with the weight in the centered position.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the adjustable tuning device of FIG. 1 attached to a barrel in the forward condition with the weight in the forward position.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the adjustable tuning device of FIG. 1 attached to a barrel in the forward condition with the weight in the rearward position.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the adjustable tuning device of FIG. 1 attached to a barrel in the reversed condition to accommodate a shorter barrel with the weight in the centered position.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the adjustable tuning device where the cup serves as the locking/jam nut for a self-timing muzzle brake.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the adjustable tuning device of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate the improved adjustable tuning device 10 of the present invention. More particularly, FIGS. 1 and 3-6 shows the adjustable tuning device in use attached to the muzzle portion 104 of the barrel 102 of a firearm 100, which is a rifle in the current embodiment. FIGS. 1 and 3-5 show the adjustable tuning device in the forward condition used with longer barrels. FIG. 6 shows the adjustable tuning device in the reversed condition used with shorter barrels. The barrel includes a forward-facing shoulder 106 rearward of the muzzle portion and a forward barrel portion 108 rearward of the forward-facing shoulder having an exterior profile 110.

The adjustable tuning device 10 has a cup 12 having a base 14 defining a threaded aperture 16. The threaded aperture is configured to closely receive a limited rear portion 112 of the muzzle portion 104 such that a forward portion 114 of the muzzle portion extends forward of the base. The cup has a rear surface 18 configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder 106 of the barrel 102. The cup is externally threaded with external threads 20 and has a skirt 22 extending rearwardly of the base. The skirt defines an internal space 28 with a diameter 30 greater than the exterior profile 110 of the barrel, and is externally threaded with the external threads 20. However, when the adjustable tuning device acts as a replacement nut on self-timing muzzle brakes, attached to or as the endcap on an airgun barrel shroud, the diameter 30 may not need to be greater than the barrel or shroud diameter. Depending on the characteristics of the host firearm, the cup may abut a barrel shroud or shroud endcap instead of the barrel shoulder, particularly in the case where the host firearm is an airgun.

The muzzle portion 104 of the barrel 102 is threaded with muzzle threads 116, and the threaded aperture 16 of the cup 12 mates with the muzzle portion. The base 14 of the cup has a limited thickness 24 less than half a length 118 of the muzzle portion such that a major portion (the forward portion 114 of the muzzle portion) is exposed to receive and connect to a user-selected muzzle device 120. In the current embodiment, the muzzle device is a muzzle brake, which is a separate muzzle device configured for attachment to the forward portion of the muzzle portion while the cup is attached to the limited rear portion 112 of the muzzle portion. The base of the cup is compressively captured between the muzzle device and the forward-facing shoulder 106 of the barrel or barrel shroud. The base of the cup has a forward-facing surface 26 configured to be abutted by the muzzle device connected to the forward portion of the muzzle portion. In the current embodiment, the limited thickness of the base of the cup is less than ¼ inch and less than the diameter of the threaded aperture.

A weight 32 has internal threads 34 configured to mate with the external threads 20 on the skirt 22 of the cup 12. The weight is operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup along barrel axis 122 defined by the barrel bore 124 of the barrel 102. In the current embodiment, the weight has a rear tapered portion 36 that tapers to a reduced internal diameter 38 at a rear end 40. The reduced internal diameter accommodates barrels having an exterior profile 110 with a diameter of up to 1.08 inch approximately 2 inch behind the muzzle forward facing shoulder 106. The taper helps maintain a closer fit to the barrel exterior profile to avoid catching the weight on barricades or external objects. However, it should be appreciated that the weight does not typically contact the barrel exterior profile. The cup has an external diameter 42 at the external threads 20, and the reduced internal diameter of the weight at the rear tapered portion is less than the external diameter of the cup in the current embodiment. The weight has an open front end 44 configured to enable attachment of the muzzle device 120 forward of the base 14 of the cup to the muzzle threads 116 on the muzzle portion 104 of the barrel. In alternative embodiments, a smaller, non-tapered version of the weight can be used for hunting rifles, and a larger version of the weight can be used for larger barrel profiles and airgun shrouds.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the improved adjustable tuning device 10 of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 3 shows the weight 32 in the centered position with respect to the cup 12. FIG. 4 shows the weight in the forward position with respect to the cup with a portion of the muzzle device 120 received by the open front end 44 of the weight, but not contacted by the weight. FIG. 5 shows the weight in the rearward position with respect to the cup. Changes in weight position are accomplished by loosening a set screw 46 received in a threaded aperture 48 in the weight, rotating the weight about the external threads 20 of the skirt 22 to the desired position, and tightening the set screw against the skirt to prevent undesirable movement of the weight in response to vibrations or recoil and impact forces. Different positions of the weight change the characteristics of the barrel when the firearm 100 is discharged, and a selected weight position will improve the accuracy of the firearm by the mass of the weight tuning the harmonic vibrations of the barrel.

FIG. 6 illustrates the improved adjustable tuning device 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the adjustable tuning device is shown in the reversed condition with the weight 32 in the centered position. In the reversed condition, the selected muzzle device 120 is received by the rear tapered portion 36 of the weight, but is not contacted by the weight. The open front end 44 of the weight receives the exterior profile 110 of the barrel 102, but does not contact the barrel exterior profile. The reversed condition is used with shorter barrels where moving the weight to the rearward position would be obstructed by the rifle stock or chassis (not shown), or with pistols or other firearm designs that do not allow for the weight to extend rearward of the muzzle portion 104.

It should be appreciated that the adjustable tuning device 10 is intended to be used with a selected muzzle device 120 to secure the cup 12 against the forward-facing shoulder 106 of the barrel 102. The muzzle device can include, but is not limited to, a thread protector, muzzle brake, or suppressor. The adjustable tuning device can be made of solid or semi-solid materials including rubber, plastic or plastic-like materials, steel, aluminum, and titanium. Finishes for the adjustable tuning device can include any coating type such as bare, painted, cerakote, anodized, and nitride.

It should also be appreciated that the adjustable tuning device is suitable for use with air rifles or other projectile launching devices. The adjustable tuning device can engage existing shroud threads, endcap threads, airstripper threads, muzzle brake threads, and suppressor mount threads in addition to muzzle threads and in alternative configurations may include a set of threads to be used for additional muzzle device attachments. The adjustable tuning device can replace the jam nut used by self-timing muzzle brakes or suppressor mounts, thereby reducing the overall length of the firearm while adding the ability to tune the firearm. The adjustable tuning device can be used in conjunction with an air rifle's existing barrel shroud endcap or airstripper, or replace the existing barrel shroud endcap or airstripper, to provide the ability to tune the air rifle. The adjustable tuning device can also act as a barrel tensioning device when used for an air rifle, air rifle shroud, or combination thereof.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the improved adjustable tuning device 200 of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 7 shows the alternative embodiment of the adjustable tuning device in use attached to the muzzle portion 104 of the barrel 102 of a firearm 100, which is a rifle in the current embodiment. The alternative embodiment of the adjustable tuning device 200 has a cup 202 having a base 204 defining a threaded aperture 206. The threaded aperture is configured to receive the muzzle portion 104 and a limited rear portion 126 of the muzzle device 120 such that a forward portion 114 of the muzzle portion does not extend forward of the base. Compared to the threaded aperture 16 of the cup 12, the threaded aperture 206 of the cup 202 is enlarged to match the thread dimensions on the external diameter of a self-timing muzzle brake serving as the muzzle device 120. This change enables the cup to replace and act as the reverse jam nut 122 on self-timing muzzle brakes. The cup has a rear surface 208 configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder 106 of the barrel 102. The cup is externally threaded with external threads 210 and has a skirt 212 extending rearwardly of the base. The skirt defines an internal space 212 with a diameter 214 greater than the exterior profile 110 of the barrel, and is externally threaded with the external threads 210. Depending on the characteristics of the host firearm, the cup may abut a barrel shroud or shroud endcap instead of the barrel shoulder, particularly in the case where the host firearm is an airgun.

The muzzle portion 104 of the barrel 102 is threaded with muzzle threads 116. The threaded aperture 206 of the cup 202 mates with a threaded exterior portion 128 of the limited rear portion 126 of the muzzle device 120. The threaded aperture of the cup has an internal diameter 220 sized such that the forward portion 114 of the muzzle portion is exposed to receive and connect to the internal threads 130 on the user-selected muzzle device 120. In the current embodiment, the muzzle device is a muzzle brake, which is a separate muzzle device configured for attachment to the forward portion of the muzzle portion while the cup is threadedly attached to the limited rear portion 126 of the muzzle device. The cup has an optional flange 216 that is compressively captured between the muzzle device and the forward-facing shoulder 106 of the barrel. The flange has a forward-facing surface 218 configured to be abutted by the muzzle device connected to the forward portion of the muzzle portion.

A weight 32 has internal threads 34 configured to mate with the external threads 210 on the skirt 212 of the cup 202. The weight is operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup along barrel axis 122 defined by the barrel bore 124 of the barrel 102. In the current embodiment, the weight has a rear tapered portion 36 that tapers to a reduced internal diameter 38 at a rear end 40. The reduced internal diameter accommodates barrels having an exterior profile 110 with a diameter of up to 1.08 inch approximately 2 inch behind the muzzle forward facing shoulder 106. The taper helps maintain a closer fit to the barrel or shroud exterior profile to avoid catching the weight on barricades or external objects. However, it should be appreciated that the weight does not typically contact the barrel exterior profile. The cup has an external diameter 232 at the external threads 210, and the reduced internal diameter of the weight at the rear tapered portion is less than the external diameter of the cup in the current embodiment. The weight has an open front end 44 configured to enable attachment of the muzzle device 120 to the muzzle threads 116 on the muzzle portion 104 of the barrel and to the threaded aperture 206 on the cup. In alternative embodiments, a smaller, non-tapered version of the weight can be used for hunting rifles, and a larger version of the weight can be used for larger barrel profiles and airgun shrouds.

There may or may not be gaps present between a muzzle device 120 that is a self-timing muzzle brake and the cup 202 or cup 12. If the alignment works out perfectly, gaps would not be present. However, in most cases there would be gaps to time the muzzle brake correctly, and such gaps are shown in FIGS. 3-7. It should also be appreciated that neither cup 202 nor cup 12 contacts the muzzle portion 104 of the barrel 102.

In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward,” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.

While a current embodiment of an adjustable tuning device has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Although rifles have been disclosed, the adjustable tuning device is also suitable for use with a wide variety of firearms, including heavy contoured barrels designed for extended range or high rates of fire applications such as vehicle-mounted fire systems, track-mounted fire systems, ship-mounted fire systems, and airborne systems. Furthermore, the weight disclosed can be replaced with weights of different sizes or densities to provide the user with additional tuning options. The weight can have external markings to indicate rotational and axial movement. In addition, the threaded aperture of the cup can be any desired pitch to accommodate the muzzle threads of the host firearm and can also be used with a thread adapter to fit muzzle threads having a different pitch. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. An adjustable tuning device for a firearm having a barrel with an muzzle portion, a forward-facing shoulder rearward of the muzzle portion, and a forward barrel portion rearward of the forward-facing shoulder and having an exterior profile, the device comprising: a cup having a base defining an aperture configured to closely receive a limited rear portion of the muzzle portion such that a forward portion of the muzzle portion extends forward of the base; the cup having a rear surface configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder; the cup being externally threaded; and a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup.
 2. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the cup has a skirt extending rearwardly of the base.
 3. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the weight tapers to a reduced diameter at a rear end.
 4. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the cup has an external diameter at an externally threaded portion, and wherein the weight has a rear portion having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the cup.
 5. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the muzzle portion of the barrel is threaded, and the cup aperture is threaded to mate with the muzzle portion.
 6. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 5 wherein the cup base has a limited thickness less than half a length of the threaded muzzle portion such that a major portion of the muzzle portion is exposed to receive and connect to a selected muzzle device.
 7. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 including a separate muzzle device configured for attachment to the forward portion of the muzzle portion while the cup is attached.
 8. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 7 wherein the base of the cup is compressively captured between the muzzle device and the forward-facing shoulder.
 9. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the cup base has a limited thickness less than a length of the muzzle portion such that a portion of the muzzle portion is exposed to receive and connect to a selected muzzle device.
 10. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the cup base has a forward-facing surface configured to be abutted by a muzzle device connected to the forward portion of the muzzle portion.
 11. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the cup base has a thickness of less than ¼ inch.
 12. The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the cup base has a thickness of less than the diameter of the aperture.
 13. An adjustable tuning device for a firearm having a barrel with a threaded muzzle portion, a forward-facing shoulder rearward of the muzzle portion, and a forward barrel portion rearward of the forward-facing shoulder and having an exterior profile, the device comprising: a cup having a base defining a threaded central aperture configured to mate with the threaded muzzle portion; the base having a rear surface configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder of the barrel; a skirt extending rearwardly from the base and defining an internal space with a diameter greater than the exterior profile of the barrel; the skirt being externally threaded; a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup; the weight having an open front end configured to enable attachment of a muzzle device forward of the cup base to the threaded muzzle portion of the barrel; and the cup base having a limited thickness of less than the diameter of the aperture.
 14. A firearm comprising: a barrel with a threaded muzzle portion, a forward-facing shoulder rearward of the muzzle portion, and a forward barrel portion rearward of the shoulder and having an exterior profile; a cup having a base defining an aperture configured to closely receive a limited rear portion of the muzzle portion such that a forward portion of the muzzle portion extends forward of the base; the cup having a rear surface configured to abut the shoulder; the cup being externally threaded; a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup; and a muzzle device threadedly connected to the forward portion of the muzzle portion with the base of the cup captured compressively between the muzzle device and the forward-facing shoulder.
 15. The firearm of claim 14 wherein the cup has a skirt extending rearwardly of the base.
 16. The firearm of claim 14 wherein the weight tapers to a reduced diameter at a rear end.
 17. The firearm of claim 14 wherein the cup has an external diameter at an externally threaded portion, and where the weight has a rear portion having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the cup.
 18. The firearm of claim 14 wherein the cup base has a limited thickness less than half a length of the threaded muzzle portion such that a major portion of the muzzle portion is exposed to receive and connect to a selected muzzle device.
 19. The firearm of claim 14 wherein the cup base has a thickness of less than ¼ inch.
 20. The firearm of claim 14 wherein the cup base has a thickness of less than the diameter of the aperture. 